How do I collect a small claims court judgment from a business?

Collecting a small claims court judgment from a business can be done by executing a writ of execution. The writ of execution is a document issued by the court that notifies the defendant that the judgment needs to be paid. It also directs the sheriff of the county in which the business is located to seize assets of the business up to the amount of the judgment. If the business has assets, such as a bank account, then the sheriff will levy the account and disperse the funds to the plaintiff, or to the court where the plaintiff can collect the funds. If the business does not have enough assets to cover the entire judgment, then the plaintiff can take additional steps to collect the remainder. The plaintiff can attach a lien to any real estate owned by the defendant, meaning that the real estate cannot be sold until the judgment is paid. The plaintiff can also file a motion with the court to force the defendant to appear in court to disclose their financial information. This allows the plaintiff to see any other assets that the defendant may have, so they can take further action to seize those assets. In some cases, the court may also require the defendant to post a bond to guarantee payment of the judgment. This bond is usually in the same amount as the judgment, and when it is paid, the bond issuer pays the plaintiff the amount of the judgment. Finally, if a business does not comply with a court order for a judgment, a plaintiff may also file a petition for contempt, which allows the court to issue sanctions against the business, such as a fine or jail time. These sanctions can be used to encourage the business to comply with the judgment.

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